Man, it's nasty out in NW NJ today! Been snowing for awhile, still is and the temperature is right around freezing. For some reason, while the twisty, hilly two-lanes have been plowed once, they haven't been salted or sanded. So - I'm not having any problems. I'm doing fine and start down a short hill on one at about 35mph, start to pick up speed and touch the brakes to prevent acceleration. All four wheels brake loose and I'm heading for the right curb. What did I do to correct? Damned if I know. There was a BMW creeping up the same hill in the opposite direction. Don't know if I terrified or amused him, but after about 150 - 200 feet of travel the car is back under control. The angle of the skids was shallow, and the application of the ESP was rapid and pretty subtle so I can't tell you everything it did. Now, admittedly, I'm not the world's most skillful driver or I probably wouldn't have found myself in this situation in the first place. But I have driven in snow for about 35 years, much of it in RWD cars. Today's experience tells me that in low traction situations, ESP can do things NO driver can do. Specifically, going down hill, pulling out of a skid, avoiding a curb, a BMW and negotiating a curve within 200 feet.

As a separate issue, I replaced one of the original Conti AS with the spare after a blowout at 15K. It feels as if the car is now less balanced, and the Conti's don't feel so good in snow. I've been running 38PSI for improved handling but think I'm going to let a little air out for the winter season. Any thoughts on PSI and new vs. worn tire would be appreciated. I know winter tires are the ultimate answer.

 

I'm also in NJ, snow came pretty fast, I am running 37# with Nokian NRW's (235/45-17)I just got from Gary @ Ronal on R7 wheels (got the last wheel/tire Friday). I took both cars out (wife has 02 allroad), I was very impressed with handling of A6 4.2 in the snow, as well as the allroad...
I would bump it down to 34 - 35 PSI all around.

 

I didn't think ESP engaged unless you are not on the brakes.

Jim

 

Good question. Here are some of my thoughts:

I know that ABS will help overcome loss of traction (skidding)upon sudden brake application and thereby allow you to retain control. The system primarily uses wheel sensors to reduce and apply braking pressure cyclicly (felt as vibrations or juddering on the brake pedal) preventing the wheels from locking up until traction levels improve...there are a lot of other aspects I don't know about, I'm sure.

Now ESP stays on unless you switch it off. But does it come into play only after brake application??

ESP needs parameters such as roll angle, rate of roll, forward and radial acceleration and speed (driving through a bend or sudden manoeuver), pitch and rate of pitch (braking or accelerating), engine power, etc. and helps stabilize the car and allow you to keep control by automatic application of brake pressure selectively to whichever wheel that needs it (similar to ABS)and reduction of engine power.

So if you are in a situation where the surface is slippery AND a manoeuver or bend is being negotiated (as in timcar's case), won't BOTH ABS and ESP be working together? Timcar did touch the brakes which created the slide in the first place, right?

 

Having had a similar experience, I can say that ESP does do what no driver can do. Check out my "wet leaves and puddles" experience from a few days ago. There's no way a mere mortal could've handled that situation without a major loss of face.

One more reason why, as long as I have enough money to, ALL my future cars will have quattro.

BTW, ESP helps even if you're not touching the brakes OR accelerator. It doesn't work miracles, but it definitely makes the most out of limited traction with footwork that only a computer can do. The first time you avoid what should've been an accident, even on a car with ABS, you know...

 

First snow here over the weekend. Drove the A6 this morning (instead of the truck) since most of the road salt has dried up and the gravel has been dispersed. Pulled in the snow covered office drive - slighthly uphill - and wanted to compare the new A6 with yoko avs to the old A4 with SP 5000 (manual vs. tip too).

The A4 with the dunlops did better on the same hill. Very little to any spin. The A6 tires spun more easily, and the ESP light came on as well. No brakes involved (at least on my part).

Not exactly a scientific explanation for anything, just an observation.

'02 A6 2.7T sport tip
Ming Blue
Hot Springs, VA

 

Thanks to all for comments and suggestions.